I love visiting schools and talking to students about how I write and illustrate my books,as well as how I became a children's author and illustrator.

Visiting with Mrs. Dickens class at Union Elementary, Maine

My latest book is 'Toby' written and illustrated by myself, published by Candlewick in Fall 2016. Other books I've illustrated include Imani's Moon, Where Do Fairies Go When It Snows?, One Word Pearl, How To Talk To An Autistic Kid and Animally.

My books have received recognition and awards from Reading is Fundamental, NYCReads365, AudioFile Best Book 2015, Bank Street's Best of Children's Books, Gold Medal from Foreword Review, Learning Magazine, Chicago and Charlotte/Mecklenburg public library 'best of' lists, Association of Children’s Librarians of Northern California Distinguished Books and Maine Libraries 'Cream of the Crop'. I was awarded the Bronze Award for Children's Books by The Society of Illustrators, Los Angeles.

About my presentations

I offer age appropriate, lively presentations tailored to different age groups. I focus on the creation of illustration and story, with emphasis on how words and pictures work together to make a book.

During my presentation I talk about how I create books, using slides, sometimes video, with plenty of physical examples of art and sketches, plus process pieces from my books. The students will get to see them close up, handle the original manuscripts, and see notes from my editors and art directors. I talk about the revision process and why it's important in the making of the book to keep working and changing and how that's linked to making the drawings AND words both together.

I demonstrate how I create a page in a book, (using ideas generated from the students during the presentation) and how students can do the same in their classroom. I use physical and digital drawing techniques to demonstrate, with plenty of audience interaction!

I also discuss what it's like to have a career as an author and illustrator, how I spend my days and show pictures of my studio and working life.

More 'hands on' workshops are also available where students spend more time creating their own work led by me.

Drawing with a an enthusiastic young artist!

School Visits

I offer 4 presentations per day (assembly and evening presentations can be arranged too).Block booking discounts are available, please ask.

EQUIPMENTI will bring my own laptop.Schools need to provide the following: screen and projector, easel and paper for drawing, table or utility cart for laptop/projector, extension cords to reach electrical outlets and table and chair.

MAINE ONLY Full day - $700 Half day - $400

OTHER NEW ENGLAND STATES Full day - $900 Half day - $500

REST OF USA Full day - $1200

INTERNATIONAL Honorarium per day - Please inquire

Mileage is 56.5c (IRS standard rate). Schools 50 miles distance or less no charge.If the driving distance is over 2 hours, hotel accommodation/meal allowance may be required.For long distance visits flights may be required.

I AM AVAILABLE TO SPEAK TO GROUPS, LIBRARIES AND AT CONFERENCES.

Comments from Educators

It is with pleasure I write about my experience as a classroom teacher who has worked with Hazel Mitchell. In 2011, Hazel and I applied for a Leonard and Renee Minsky Fund for Arts Education grant. By combining literacy and art, our goal was to help students learn about the publishing process behind an illustrated book. With the students, Hazel put together a plan of how they would complete the process from brainstorming to publication in a matter of a few months. Students researched and wrote about what life was like both in the past and today here in Maine. After this process, Hazel helped students bring their new knowledge to life by creating detailed and vibrant illustrations to complement their writing. Our fourth grade students created a class book that Hazel helped us submit to an independent publishing website, Lulu. With this real published product in their hands, the students felt accomplished as both writers and illustrators, with an enormous thanks to Hazel. With her attention to detail, she made sure students truly understood and appreciated both the written and artistic processes.

In addition to this learning journey, Hazel has visited my classroom as a visiting artist. Her experience as a children's book illustrator go beyond the pages of her books. She is an incredibly talented artist and works very well with students. I reccommend her to any school who is looking for a visit from a talented individual, such as Hazel!

Hazel Mitchell very kindly agreed to come and do a story and workshop session for us based around her new book. The afternoon was a huge success thanks to Hazel’s enthusiasm and ability to engage in such a warm, genuine way with the children. The age range was wide, from 3 year olds to 9 year olds, and the majority of the children were not English speakers. Nevertheless, Hazel caught their attention immediately and drew them into the activity, ensuring that they all understood at their own level. Using the story as the starting point, she talked about the illustrations and how she draws, and discussed with the children how characters and pictures can be created – Hazel had a big white board and the children each had large pieces of paper and coloured pens. They all spent a fantastic afternoon exploring different techniques, creating their own illustrations from the pictures in the book. The whole session was interactive with the children contributing their ideas and trying out Hazel’s suggestions. Hazel also did a drawing for each child to take home – again drawing on their ideas and creating a fun picture for each of them. All of the children participated for the full two hour session – which is a real reflection of the extent to which they were engaged and enjoying themselves. They went home delighted with the pictures that they themselves had created, and also as proud owners of a signed illustration by a ‘real illustrator’. I’m sure that it is an experience they will not forget, and we have since had several of the children back in the shop with pictures that they have done on their own at home.

For us the activity was a real pleasure. Hazel is a true professional – she works easily and confidently with children and engages with them at their level, building up a rapport with them that ensures a natural interaction during the workshop. Our very mixed audience responded immediately to her enthusiasm and the session was exciting, fun and full of laughter. The children also learnt a great deal about illustrations, and the older children in particular will have gone away with much food for thought. We would be delighted to have Hazel back at any point – this visit will certainly be remembered as a very successful Treasure Trove afternoon.

Jane Still, Manager Treasure Trove, Brussels, Belgium

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We had the pleasure of having Hazel Mitchell come to SCBWI Belgium in April 2013 where she did workshops both for kids and for adults. Hazel is not only a talented artist, but also one of those rare people who immediately makes everyone feel comfortable. She delighted the children and captivated the adults with her spontaneity and charm.

We would gladly have her again and highly recommend her for all ages groups.

Dina Von Lowencraft, SCBWI RA, Belgium

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Hazel is gifted with the wonderful combination of being both an enthusiastic and organized presenter. I walked away with new insights about how to do my own work and was totally inspired by her career and talent. Her passion for children's book stories is contagious.

All images, text, photographs and ideas represented on this website are copyright of the artist Hazel Mitchell and may not be reproduced, copied or used in any way without written permission of the artist.

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